Taoism

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WHAT IS TAOISM?

Taoism (often pronounced as Daoism) is a philosophical tradition that emphasizes living in harmony or being one with the Tao - the “way” or the “path”. It teaches various disciplines to achieve perfection by becoming one with the unplanned rhythms of the universe, the “Tao”. Unlike Confucianism which has rigid rituals and social order, Tao ethics emphasize “naturalness”, simplicity, spontaneity and the Three Treasures - compassion, frugality and humility.

Instead of spending a lot of time trying to explain what the Tao is, Taoists focus on living a simple and balanced life in harmony with nature. This is one of the most important principles in Taoism. Although Taoism does not fall under an umbrella of a signualr defined religion, like the Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity or Islam, it accurately refelcts a philospphy and practical wisdom.

The ambiguous term wu-wei constitutes the leading ethical concept in Taoism. Wei refers to any intentional or deliberate action, while wu means "there is no ..." or "lacking, without". Common translations are "nonaction", "effortless action" or "action without intent". The meaning is sometimes emphasized by using the paradoxical expression "wei wu wei": "action without action".

Taoist philosophy, in accordance with the I Ching (an ancient Chinese divination text and among the oldest of the Chinese classics), proposes that the universe works harmoniously according to its own ways. When someone exerts their will against the world in a manner that is out of rhythm with the cycles of change, they may disrupt that harmony and unintended consequences may more likely result rather than the willed outcome. Taoism does not identify one's will as the root problem. Rather, it asserts that one must place their will in harmony with the natural universe.

The Tao Te Ching is a short book attributed to Lao Tzu and is considered the keystone written work of Taoism.

WHERE DID TAOISM ORIGINATE?

The origins of Taoism are based in ancient China, at least as far back as the 4th Century BCE. The philosophical roots can be traced to the School of Yinyang and was influenced by one of the oldest Chinese cultural texts, the I Ching. The I Ching is a philosophical system about keeping human behavior in line with the alternating cycles of nature.

Based on a 6th century BC document which contains the teachings of Tao Te Ching, modern-day Taoism is both a philosophy and a religion emphasizing spiritual harmony within the individual and complementing Confucianism's focus on social duty. Taoism has been around in various forms in China for about 2,000 years, and its roots lie in Shamanic traditions which predate the Hsia Dynasty (2205-1765 BCE).

The Taoism tradition is one of five officially recognized religious doctrines in China and is a major religion in Taiwan with followers in Hong Kong, Macau and Southeast Asia. Historically, the three Chinese religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism all have independent views, but attempt to find harmony amongst each school of thought.

HOW TO PRACTICE TAOISM

In ancient times, before the Taoism religion was founded, food would sometimes be set out as a sacrifice to the spirits of the deceased or the gods. This could include slaughtered animals, such as pigs and ducks, or fruit. The Taoist Celestial Master Zhang Taoling rejected food and animal sacrifices to the Gods. He tore apart temples which demanded animal sacrifice and drove away its priests. This rejection of sacrifices has continued into the modern day, as Taoism Temples are not allowed to use animal sacrifices.

An accepted form of sacrifice involves the burning of joss paper, or hell money, on the assumption that images thus consumed by the fire will reappear—not as a mere image, but as the actual item—in the spirit world, making them available for revered ancestors and departed loved ones. The joss paper is mostly used when memorializing ancestors, such as done during the Qingming festival.

Also on particular holidays, street parades take place. These are lively affairs which involve firecrackers and flower-covered floats broadcasting traditional music. They include lion dances and dragon dances; human-occupied puppets (often of the "Seventh Lord" and "Eighth Lord"), Kung fu-practicing and palanquins carrying god-images. The various participants are not considered performers, but rather possessed by the gods and spirits in question.

Fortune-telling—including astrology, I Ching, and other forms of divination—has long been considered a traditional Taoist pursuit. Mediumship is also widely encountered in some sects. The I Ching itself, without the commentaries, consists of 64 combinations of 8 trigrams (called "hexagrams"), traditionally chosen by throwing coins or yarrow sticks, to give the diviner some idea of the situation at hand and, through reading of the "changing lines", some idea of what is developing with the person.

Because Taoism doesn't make a rigid division between body and spirit, it recognises that physical actions have a spiritual effect. The following physical practices are also part of a Taoist daily practice:

Purity - keeping the body pure in order to ensure spiritual health
Meditation
Breathing
Energy flow
Martial arts
Diet

Taoism teaches a person to flow with life. Over the years Taoism has become many things to many people. Hundreds of variations in Taoist practice exist. Some of these practices are philosophical, and others are religious.

The taijitu (commonly known as the "yin and yang symbol" or simply the "yin yang") and the bagua ("Eight Trigrams") have importance in Taoist symbolism. In this cosmology, the universe creates itself out of a primary chaos of material energy, organised into the cycles of Yin and Yang and formed into objects and lives. Yin is the receptive and Yang is the active principle, seen in all forms of change and difference such as the annual season cycles, the landscape, sexual coupling, the formation of both men and women as characters, and sociopolitical history. While almost all Taoist organisations make use of it, its principles have influenced Confucian, Neo-Confucian or pan-Chinese theory . One can see this symbol as a decorative element on Taoist organisation flags and logos, temple floors, or stitched into clerical robes. According to Song dynasty sources, it originated around the 10th century CE. Previously, a tiger and a dragon had symbolised yin and yang.

WHY PRACTICE TAOISM?

A recurrent and important element of Taoism are rituals, exercises and substances aiming at aligning oneself spiritually with cosmic forces, at undertaking ecstatic spiritual journeys, or at improving physical health and thereby extending one's life, ideally to the point of immortality. Enlightened and immortal beings are referred to as xian.

A characteristic method aiming for longevity is Taoist alchemy. Already in very early Taoist scriptures—like the Taiping Jing and the Baopuzi—alchemical formulas for achieving immortality were outlined. A number of martial arts traditions embody Taoist principles to a significant extent, and some practitioners consider their art a means of practising Taoism.

Taoism As A Path To Peace - Tao equips its practitioners with tools by which to live their lives. The core of Taoism is to reject hatred and intolerance of human differences and live with balance, harmony, perspective, and compassion. While violence is not precluded in Taoism, it is a last resort. By increasing self-awareness and reducing the influence of ego, which is often at the heart of conflict, Taoism promotes peace within and without.

Taoism For Reduced Worry - Many people do not realize the harmful effects worry has on the body. The body's biochemistry is not able to tell the difference between present, tangible threats in the environment and those that exist solely in the imagination. When you worry, your body releases the same stress hormones as it does when there is a real threat. Worrying keeps your body in a heightened state and can cause dangerous health problems like high blood pressure, headaches, weight gain and insomnia.

Through the practice of Tao, peace and tranquility overcome worry. Tao philosophy contends that worry has nothing to do with the external world. It is simply a product of the imagination during obsession about worst-case scenarios. Practicing Tao gives adherents the tools to live in the present, free from many of the harmful physical effects of worrying.

Taoism For Health And Well-Being - Spiritual qigong, or chi energy cultivation, finds its roots in both Taoism and Buddhism, emphasizing tranquility and self-awareness. According to Ken Cohen, Executive Director and Founder of Qigong Research and Practice Center, health benefits of qigong include improved balance, flexibility, slower respiratory rate, improved circulation and relief from the symptoms of the following diseases: chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, and fibromyalgia.

Taoism And Morality - Taoists believe sickness is caused by sin and bad deeds that interrupt the healthy flow of chi. Taoist morality is based on the Three Treasures of Taoism: be charitable, be thrifty, and do not push ahead of others. While other philosophies and religions emphasize propriety and achievement, Taoism focuses on being humble and being seen as average by the outside world.

Taoists Go With The Flow - Rather than fighting the current, Tao followers strive to go with the flow and accept things as they happen. They also refuse to pursue wealth and power.Taoism can best be described as like a willow tree. Rather that standing erect and resolute against the winds like an old oak tree, the willow bends and goes with the flow, just as Taoists go with the gentle flow of the universe.